Quote Originally Posted by Little_John View Post
Warre also experimented with the use of frames, but eventually settled on the use of top-bars only, with the combs invariably becoming firmly adhered to the box sides, thus requiring an 'L'-shaped bladed knife to cut them free when harvesting honey. This was to be his final design adjustment, and is still the way that purists keep these hives today - which were always intended to be 'back-garden' hives for the rural French.
For working from the top? I've seen a video showing such an operation -didn't like the look of it so approached things from the other end, so to speak:

SAM_4040.jpg SAM_4042.jpg

not a great photo but should have more, clearer ones by the end of the month. approx. 9" deep comb in this one.